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202 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



Sept. 



should have a double wall to keep out damp; it 

 should be well ventilated above, with tight shutters, 

 and heated by large stoves or furnaces in the base- 

 ment to the proper temperature, under all the grain 

 in the establishment. In this way common mer- 

 chantable grain can be economically dried so as to 

 keep in tight barrels for any length of time in any 

 climate, without the least deterioration to the meal 

 or flour. 



Water-proof hats are made by dissolving gum 

 shellac in alcohol, and' working this gum, which is 

 insoluble in water, into the body of the hat. Heavy 

 cotton bagging is generally cheap in Georgia, and is 

 used for sacking flour and meal. To prevent dried 

 meal from imbibing dampness through these bags, at 

 our suggestion, they are partially saturated with this 

 gum. Perhaps India rubber or gutta percha would 

 be better asjauell as cheaper. Grain, flour and meal 

 must not onirape fairly dried (not contain over five 

 or six per cent of water,) but it must be kept in that 

 condition, whether in a damp cellar, in the hold of a 

 ship, or elsewhere. Millers should -have their flour 

 barrels as tight as they well can, and learn to test 

 the quantity of water in 100 parts of wheat, corn, 

 flour and meal. One hundred grains of ordinary 

 flour or meal put on a piece of white paper five or 

 six inches square, and this placed on a plate in a 

 stove as hot as it can be and not burn or scorch the 

 paper; and then if stirred a little with the point of a 

 dry, clean knife, it will lose some ten per cent, of its 

 weight in thirty or forty minutes by drying. A little 

 practice will make one familiar with the operation, 

 and the dampness of breadstuffs. 



In hot climates grain can be dried sufficiently in 

 the sun to keep well, if immediately excluded from 

 the surrounding atmosphere. This object has long 

 been attained in Spain, Egypt and parts of Asia, by 

 burying wheat in pits dug into the dry earth, which 

 are closed with tight covers, pitched over to exclude 

 the air. A large cement cistern quite impervious to 

 water, if filled with dry wheat, corn or meal and her- 

 metically sealed, would retain its organized food 

 without change, for indefinite ages. Air-tight, cool, 

 earthen reservoirs which will hold from 500 to 10,000 

 bushels, will soon be constructed in all cities, if ndt 

 by farmers, for keeping grain, apples, potatoes and 

 provisions. The science of preserving human food 

 is in its infancy. Some of our readers know the 

 advantage of burying potatoes and apples in dry 

 earth three or four feet deep, where they remain nine 

 months, or longer if need be, without heat, air, 

 water, rotting or sprouting. To preserve vegetables, 

 butter, lard and meat is much easier in New York 

 than in Georgia; but it can be done in both States 

 and in all climates. The subject, however, is very 

 little understood either by farmers or provision dealers. 



Deep and Shallow Plowing. — Some of your 

 correspondents recommend deep plowing, while they 

 say nothing about the depth of the soil. Now it is 

 well known that some soils will bear plowing eighteen 

 or twenty inches deep without injury, nay, with 

 decided advantage ; while others, if plowed to the 

 depth of six inches, will be rendered worthless, 

 without the addition of a large amount of vegetable 

 .matter. In i-uch a soil, subsoiling would be higly 

 beneficial; deep plowing, of itself, ruinous. Hence, 

 plow deep, or not, according to circumstances. — 

 Knowing the depth of his soil, each farmer should 

 be guided by his judgment and experience. h. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



BY AGRICOLA. 



As the season for the meeting of these associa- 

 tions is at hand, I have thought it might be useful 

 to farmers to say a word or two in relation to their 

 importance, and the duty of farmers and others to 

 sustain them. No one who has watched the progress 

 of the Societies in this State since 184], can doubt 

 that they have accomplished much for the farmer. 

 Not only have those been benefitted who have taken 

 a part in their proceedings, but others who have stood 

 aloof have indirectly received permanent benefit. 

 The object, of these associations is to bring the far- 

 mers together, compare their views on matters of 

 deep practical interest to them — to discuss questions 

 appertaining to their own farms and firesides — and 

 thus from the experience of each other, secure an 

 improved system of operations that will eventually 

 gjeatly add not only to their comfort, but to their 

 prosperity and pecuniary advantage. But to make 

 thesfj&ssoclations in every respect what they should 

 be, i^irall important that they enlist the whole agri- 

 cultural community. To every man who cultivates 

 the smallest portion • of land they are important. 

 However small his domain, he has an intetest in the 

 advancement of his profession*, and he should by his 

 presence and his efforts, give aid and encouragement 

 to an association designed to benefit him. 



The Mechanic is deeply interested also in these 

 associations. Who does not know that the demand 

 for the work of the mechanic has a direct and most 

 important connection with the prosperity and ad- 

 vancement of the farmer. No mechanic, therefore, 

 should look upon these associations in any unfa- 

 vorable light. He should encourage them by his 

 presence and also by the exhibition of the work of 

 his hands. 



The Merchant too, has an interest in the pros- 

 perity of these associations. Who does not know 

 that in proportion as agriculture improves every 

 other pursuit is prospered. The improvements in the 

 farms and dairies of our State, the choice and valu- 

 able cattle, sheep and swine which have been the 

 result of these associations, all tend to the benefit 

 not only of the farmer, but of the merchant also. 



The Professional men have also an interest in 

 sustaining these • associations, and I am glad to be 

 able to say that, so far as my observation extends, 

 they have ever been active and efficient promoters of 

 our county and state organizations. 



The spirit of improvement and competition which 

 has been enlisted by these annual gatherings has 

 been most salutary, and we trust that an increased 

 I interest will be manifested in them, until every town 

 and every county in our State will so feel and realize 

 the importance of the subject as to enlist their energies 

 to sustain and support them. I am aware that there 

 are objections against these associations — generally 

 made by those who take no active part in them, and 

 who do not personally interest themselves in their 

 operations. These objections are various, and many 

 of them may have more or less foundation — but let 

 me ask, would it not be the part of wisdom, if you 

 see things that are not in all respects as you could 

 wish, to come up yourself to the aid of others, and 

 by your advice and example assist in correcting 

 these things, and thus add to their efficiency and 

 usefulness ? It may be that your influence is the 

 very thing that is wanting, and instead of complain- 

 ing, act for the good of others — for the advancement 



